The original that kicked off the series that will be going to least 6. For me, it's a toss up between this one and the second film for my least favourite in the series. It's not to say I don't like it, just not as much as the later ones. The action is top-notch, but the script really lags in parts. I hate poorly executed banter in movies whether it's scripted or improvised and this movie has some painful sequences. Not everyone can write like Mamet or Sorkin. … [Read more...]

Not as good as it's predecessor, but still decent. More corn, than camp this time around. Too many "Machete Don't..." jokes and even though he's a dick in the real world, I can't buy Mel Gibson as a villain. Over the top direction and inventive deaths are definitely this film's best attributes. Vast supporting cast once again with Demian Bichir being the standout. … [Read more...]

This is not a good movie by any standard, but it constantly makes me laugh shamelessly. The premise is absurd and most of the jokes are just plain stupid, but I can't help myself. Sandler first major starring role and it remains one of my favourites and a total guilty pleasure. … [Read more...]

A couple of kids visit their grandparents whom they've never met. This is because of a falling out between the grandparents and the kids' mother years before. Not quite a return to form for Shyamalan, but it suggests promise for the future. Genuinely creepy with strange occurrences and darkly humourous situations. The ending is simple, yet a jaw-dropper. I didn't see the twist coming. Not too shabby. … [Read more...]

A group of strangers are trapped in a malfunctioning elevator and what follows is a series of mind games as one of them is the Devil. M. Night Shyamalan has a producer and story credit for this film. The idea very much has a Shyamalan feel, but the execution is very different. This was a nice sleeper perhaps that's because I wasn't expecting much. That being said, this a nice twisty little thriller. … [Read more...]

A travel journalist partakes in a crocodile-watching boat tour while on assignment in Australia and he gets more than he bargained for. We've seen this before; it's just Jaws with a giant, aggressive crocodile. However, we haven't seen one from the director of Wolf Creek. Much better than your average killer aquatic creature feature. Strong violence and cast. … [Read more...]

An apartment landlord is the son of a Nazi surgeon and his building has hidden passageways which he uses to spy on his tenants. Klaus Kinski is deliciously creepy as the landlord who is also addicted to death. Solid suspense and some elaborate Saw-like contraptions. Decent, but not spectacular. … [Read more...]

An agoraphobic father must rescue his baby daughter from the gang of young feral hoods who attacked his wife months earlier. The gang itself has sight based on fear. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, the director did an excellent job of conveying the feeling of anxiousness. That certainly helped increase the tension for me. Good story, worth a looksy. … [Read more...]

The one that launched a franchise. Co-written and directed by X-Files vets, James Wong and Glen Morgan based on a discarded idea from the show. Inventive death sequences, the bus scene at the end always makes me jump. Strong, likable ensemble. The first and still easily the best of the crop. Filmed partially in my hometown. … [Read more...]

Pleasantville with zombies. I think that's pretty accurate description. A smart comedy with an occasional zombie attack. Billy Connolly is utterly charming as the loyal title character. However, the whole cast is great as everyone is playing it straight. It would be very easy to ham it up with this subject matter, but that doesn't happen here. … [Read more...]